Relationships
11 Pieces of Marriage Advice from the 1950s That Still Apply Today
The decade known for happy housewives and Mad Men husbands may not appear to offer much guidance for modern unions. But these tips about loyalty, generosity, and love have proven to be timeless.
Marriage advice: No nagging
“Nagging causes more unhappiness in families than extravagance, poor housekeeping, and infidelity put together.” —Dorothy Carnegie, author of How to Help Your Husband Get Ahead (1957)
Marriage advice: Keep complaints private
“If you must criticize, do so privately and without anger.” —Edward Podolsky, author of Sex Today in Wedded Life (1947)
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Marriage advice: Be patient
“If they are patient and gentle with each other … they should sense the deep thrills that lie in store for them.” —Dr. Clifford R. Adams, author of How to Pick a Mate: The Guide for a Happy Marriage (1946)
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Marriage advice: Be generous
“Love is concerned with giving. Abundantly and lavishly.” —Dorothy Carnegie, author of How to Help Your Husband Get Ahead (1957)
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Marriage advice: Celebrate every “first” as a couple
“Every day you will take first steps. And those steps are important.” —Dr. Clifford R. Adams, author of How to Pick a Mate: The Guide for a Happy Marriage (1946)
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Marriage advice: Let small gripes go
“Good-humoured acceptance of things as they come and a refusal to be upset over trifles strengthen the fabric of love.” —Dorothy Carnegie, author of How to Help Your Husband Get Ahead (1957)
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Marriage advice: Make up in the bedroom
“Married couples should understand the importance of climactic sexual relations as a means of reducing tension.” —Dr. Clifford R. Adams, author of How to Pick a Mate: The Guide for a Happy Marriage (1946)
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Marriage advice: Create an island of love
“Let’s not get so bogged down in the endless routine of housekeeping that we lose sight of its real purpose: to create a small island of love, security, and comfort for those dearest to our hearts.” —Dorothy Carnegie, author of How to Help Your Husband Get Ahead (1957)
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Marriage advice: Share
“Sharing anything—be it a crust of bread or an idea—brings people closer together. Sharing the special interests and recreations with those we love is one of the main highways to happiness in human relations.” —Dorothy Carnegie, author of How to Help Your Husband Get Ahead (1957)
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Marriage advice: Be considerate of each other’s needs
“For two people to live together successfully as husband and wife they must be able to understand each other as only true companions can. They must recognize the needs of each other and be willing to cooperate to satisfy them.” —Dr. Clifford R. Adams, author of How to Pick a Mate: The Guide for a Happy Marriage (1946)
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Marriage advice: Give your love room to grow
“While a husband or wife wants to feel that things are done out of love and for love only, the fact remains that love continues only if it is nourished.” —Dr. Clifford R. Adams, author of How to Pick a Mate: The Guide for a Happy Marriage (1946)
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Originally published as Marriage Advice from the 1950s That Still Applies Today on ReadersDigest.com.